BUSINESS owners in Holyhead have objected to a supermarket and fast food restaurant plan, claiming the resulting increased traffic will endanger the safety of residents.

Shop owners in the Kingsland area believe that if the development goes ahead there will be a sharp rise in traffic along the Trearddur Bay road, resulting in an increased danger to the public, especially children and the elderly, and also to other cars.

They also claim that the new businesses may threaten their own ventures and could lead to job losses.

Rowenna Jones, owner of Rowenna's General Stores, and Sue Williams who runs Sue's Chippy, are both concerned about plans to build an Aldi supermarket and Burger King on the Stena-owned old cattle lairages site.

Mrs Jones said: "The main reason we are against the development is because of the danger posed by more traffic. The flow of traffic is increasing all the time and it will be unbelievable in summer when the tourists arrive.

"There is already a big problem in this area with parking. An increase in heavy traffic could mean the road being blocked, and with nowhere to park for our customers we will lose business. There's also the problem that cars and lorries may hinder the nearby fire service from getting through."

Mrs Jones husband Gareth said: "People don't want another supermarket in town. It seems to me like the council feels pressured into bringing anything into the area - but they're bringing the wrong things. The lairages site would be an ideal place for a hotel. Holyhead needs something more constructive to help local businesses."

Sue Williams said: "I don't want my children having to cross this road if Aldi comes here, it's bad enough as it is. The town needs something but not here in a residential area.

"These plans would kill the town even more as everything is being developed on the outskirts away from the shopping area." One of Mrs Williams's main fears is that if the road traffic situation does deteriorate, then one of the residential streets may have to be opened up to traffic posing more danger to the public.

A petition opposed to the new Aldi and Burger King has been started up by Rowenna, and to date has been signed by over 130 people.

One customer said: "It would be a great loss if the store were to close. It s very convenient for me as I live close by. There's always a friendly atmosphere here.

If the store closes up to 13 people, who are employed on a full-time and part-time basis, may potentially lose their jobs said Mrs Jones.

She also believes a closure could have a knock-on effect on other local small businesses from whom she buys nearly all her stock. The domino effect could hit bakers, milkmen and egg suppliers. Mrs Williams also fears that her chip shop may have to close meaning the loss of 10 jobs. Because of these potential job losses they don t believe that the 12 jobs that Aldi will bring to the town are worth it.

Mrs Williams added: "The council claim that Burger King will generate 55 jobs, but that is only if it is open 24 hours seven days a week. There's a by-law in Holyhead which means that all new takeaways have to be closed by midnight. Thinking about it logically if they close by midnight they are not going to employ 55 people."

A spokesman for Anglesey County Council said: "We've consulted local residents and advertised the application. The local planning authority is aware of local objections and all comment will be taken into account when the application is considered by the planning committee."